Do I have to keep paper receipts?
Short answer
No, storing them digitally is allowed. A scan or photo of a receipt or invoice is enough, as long as all details are clearly legible and you can produce the documents for 7 years. For data on real estate, the period is 10 years. Keep digital invoices in the format in which you received them.
Updated on · Reviewed by the tax advisers at Boekhoudvriend
The tax retention obligation concerns the data, not the paper. You may convert paper documents into a digital version and then throw away the original, as long as the digital copy is complete and reliable.
How to do it properly
- Take a photo or scan of every receipt straight away
- Check that the date, amount, VAT and supplier are legible
- Store the files somewhere with a backup
- Match the receipt to the bank transaction in your accounts
Sources
This answer is general information, not personal advice. Your own situation may work out differently, so feel free to ask our team.